Vince Gilligan’s affinity for Albuquerque largely comes from a combination of landscape, atmosphere, and practical filmmaking considerations, which he has described in multiple interviews and profiles. What makes Albuquerque appealing to Gilligan
- The landscape and skies: Gilligan has repeatedly highlighted how the desert terrain, vast horizons, and dramatic skies of New Mexico create a cinematic backdrop that feels uniquely Western and visually striking, helping to shape the mood and storytelling of Breaking Bad and its successor projects. This environment invites a sense of scale and isolation that complements character arcs and tension.
- The city as a character: Over time, Gilligan described Albuquerque not just as a filming location but as a character in the show—its textures, neighborhoods, and cultural texture contributing to the storytelling texture in a way that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. This shift from setting to character has been echoed in discussions and interviews about how the series feels grounded and authentic.
- Creative and financial factors: New Mexico’s film incentives made Albuquerque a practical choice from a production perspective, allowing for cost savings and generous incentives while enabling access to varied landscapes that fit the narrative’s needs. Gilligan himself has noted how the move facilitated cinematic opportunities and helped realize a distinctive visual style.
- Cultural and regional richness: The region’s cultural mix—particularly its Hispanic and Native American influences—adds depth to the world-building and ambiance of the shows, contributing to a more layered and textured setting that Gilligan could leverage in storytelling.
Notable quotes and references
- In discussions surrounding the move to Albuquerque, Gilligan has credited the landscape and its cinematic vistas with inspiring a more expansive and Western-inflected feel for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. He also cited the reasonable production incentives as a practical benefit that enabled a more ambitious visual approach.
- He has publicly emphasized that Albuquerque’s elements helped elevate the shows, shaping how the audience experiences the journey from an ordinary man to a figure like Heisenberg, in part due to the striking natural environments and the town’s distinctive character.
In short, Vince Gilligan’s fondness for Albuquerque stems from its singular landscape, the way the city functions as a narrative character, and the strong creative and financial support it provided for production, all of which together enabled a distinctive, cinematic storytelling style.
